Throttle-valve-operating mechanism



July 8, 1930. A. F. scHwl-:NDNER K THROTTLE VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM Original Filed April 26, 1928 INVENTOR A.F. Schwendner BY G" 05.02

ATTORNEY Patented July 8, 1930 untreu s'rATEs PATENr ANTHONY F. SCHWENDNER, OF ESSING-TON, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WEST- INGI-IOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING- COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENN- SYLVAN IA l THRoTTLE-vfinvn.OPERATING MEcrrANIsM Application slee April 29,1928, serial no, 273,029. Renewed JanuaryI 15, 1930.

vide a mechanism of the character designated having power means under manual control for moving the throttle valve in both opening and closing directions.

The present invention vis an improvement upon the throttle valve operating mechanism described and claimed in my Patent No. 1,729,458, issued September 24, 1929, .wherein a piston connected to the throttlevalve is biased to closed position by a spring and actuated in 'opening direction by fluid pressure. The throttle valve may be closed by releasing the fluid pressure, permitting the spring to close the valve.r Thearrangementis such, however, that when the fluid pressure lis once released, it cannot be restored until the throttle valve has been completely closed. Therefore, to partly close the throttle valve it is necessary to apply manual force to overcome the fluid pressure on the operating piston. factory on throttle valves of moderate sizes, but for larger valves the manuall force required becomes considerable. Y

In accordance with the present invention, I provide power means for movingthe throttle valve in either directionto any desired extent. More specifically, I provide means -whereby, when it is desired to move the valve in closing direction, yfluid pressure 3 is released until the valve reaches the desired position, at which it is then retained. A control member is provided which controls the power means to move the piston to follow the control member. Means for effecting i3 complete closing independently of the position of thecontrol member are also provided.

Apparatus exemplifying my invention is illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, in which: n l

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the operating mechanism in combination with the other parts of the prime mover with which it cooperates;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the improved 3 throttle valve operating mechanism;

This construction has been found satis- Fig. 3 is adetail view, the line III-III-of Fig. 2, and

i `Fig. 4 isa fragmentary view showing a detail of Fig. 2'on an enlarged scale. 'l y Referring to the drawings more in detail, I show a throttle valve 10, which is'ope'rated by the mechanism indicated at 11,`.andwhich controls the supply of motive fluid to a prime ymover, of which isshown only a fragmentof the shaft at 12. Fluid pressure is supplied Vto the Aoperating mechanism 11 by acentrifugal pump 13, having an impeller 14 mounted directly on the shaft Q12. Fluid discharged under pressure from the pumpf13 is conveyed by a` conduitf15lto thev operating mechanism 11, said fluid zllowing through a restricted orifice 16 interposed in the con-A 'p duit 15.

as seen in plan from A branch conduit'15 communicates with an auxiliary sourceof fluid pressure, 'such as pump 13. Check.` valves 7.1 and 72 are provided in the conduits 15 and 15, respectively, to prevent loss of pressure from one ypumpy to the other. u

yAn auto-stop governor, indicated at 17, includes a valve 18 communicating withfthe conduit 15at a pointy between the orifice 16 and the operating mechanism 11. A lever 19, pivoted at 20. is retained in position to hold the valve 18 closed by Contact with one karm of the bell-crank lever 21.l A plunger 22," carried by the shaft 12, is adapted to move outwardly'upon ka predetermined overspeed of the shaft, and to strike the other arm of the bell-crank lever, moving the first armoutof engagement with the lever 19. The valve 18 isQthen free to open and release the fluid pressure in the communicating part of the conduit 15. Y

Referring now to Fig. 2, the valve-operating mechanism 11 includes a cylinder 31 and a piston 32 operating therein. The-piston 32 is formed with an opening 33` at the cen'- ter thereof, and is connected to the rod 34 through the bushing 35, which is'made integral with the piston through webs 36. and in which bushing the rod v34; is secured.

Disposed on the piston 32 above the opening 33 is a housing member 37 secured to the 38. AV `row `of *openings 39 are disposed around the circumference of the member 37 near the lower endthereof, and the member 37 is also provided with a valveseat 40 at theopening 33. A 'valve member 41 includes.V Aa sleeve part 42, which has aslidingvflt in the housing member ,37. Thevalve memberV 41 Y also yhas a valve part 43which is adapted to Seaton the valve seat40 upon upward movement of vthe valve member 41.

" The valve' member 41 is biased upwardly Vto close the valve 43 by a compression spring 44, which maybe disposedbetween the lower; `end of the valvef'member 41 and a partofV the piston'siich asthe webs' 36. The'valve member 41is nalso providedwith; Stops 45 VeX- tending downwardly from the vvalve part43 [and adapted to lcontactwith thebushing 35 to Vlimit; downward movement ofk the i valve member:

= Thevalve member 41 v Y `also"providedQwith a valve;seat, 4`6 on the ini 'gner side thereof;` Disposed within; the sleeve part 42 is Va second verticallyv slidable valve 47 `adapted to `seat on the valve seat'46. The

sleevepart 42 is provided with a row of openings 48 at the lower end thereofwhereby fluid y* `passing by the valve-seat46may flow through Vthe openings 4,8 andA 39.`

.The valve member 47 actua-ted by a stem 51, which mayfbe vtermed tliecontrol mem- "ber ofthe'operating. mechanism. "The stem 51 is Vadapted to abut the vvalve member 47to moveitin a downward direction or to hold `it against {upward Vmovement. .The valve vmember 47 includesa ballbearing 52 for ren ceiving the downwardy thrust/without `fricttion due to rotarymotion of thestem v51.

The 'screw-threaded.. stem Y 51 engages a screw-threaded bushing52, securedxinl an opening 53 inthe upper end wall of the cylinder 31, `and held against rotation by a set v screw-54.` The stem 51, above the threaded fpo'rtioii, is flattened on opposite sides as indicated at55. An operating member, here disclosedfas ahood orcap56 fitting over the upper end ofi the cylinder, has a small inember 57at the topthereon which hasan open- K sidesf of the stem 51, whereby the rotary mofllie. operating member vided with handles 59 for manually operat- "ing'the'same f .v t ,Y j Y Compression springs 61 and 62 ,areA intering 53 throughwhi'ch the stem `51 extends. Fig. 3 showsthe memberf57 plan. The opening 58 ha's'flat' sides-V, engaging the -lat tionp `.the operating member 56 is transmitted to the stem 51, and the stem 51 is free to move vertically through the member 56.

posedrbetween the upper fen dwall of the cylinder 31A andthe piston 32, thejpiston32 being provided withv` a.1 spring-.holding inem-V uberj63yrllountedf on, theilange of the housing member 37inthe manner of a ball andi socket Hjoin't'.; .4 The;` lower: end ofthe cylinder com- Y cylinder.

56 is preferably promunicateswith the conduit 15 through a passage 64 formed in the lower end wall of the communicates through a passage k65 with a drain.A conduit 66, vthrough Vwhich fluid releasedthrough the opening-33 may be discharged. i i

`The operation of thel above paratus is as follows: s Vl/Vith the piston in thepositioii shown in described ap- -VFiglA '2, the` throttle valve is closed, and the prime mover is shutdown. VSupposexnow that it; is desired to Ystart operation of the prime mover. The auto-stop governor 17 *is set as shown in ldig. "1, with the valve 13 closedf; F luid pressure is conveyed to the conduit15froin the auxiliary pump 13 through the conduit 1 5', and supplied to the ylowerendol:` the cylinder 31. rlhe fluid presfsuie acts on the lower side of the piston in i V-opposition to the force or" the springs and begins to raise the piston. The valve 43,

however, is held against upward movement by abutmentrwith the valve`47, which, in

turn, is held against. upward movement by abutment with the stem or control member 51. kThe valve seat 40 therefore leavesthe valve 43, thereby providing anY opening Y through whichthe fluid pressureisreleased.

:To open the tlirottlevalve, thereform'the stern 51 is raised by rotating the operating member 56, whereuponthe fluid pressure in nthe lower end of the cylinderliorces the valve member `47 upwardly against thesteiin and the il-uid Vpressure and the spring 33 force "thevalve member 41 upwardly against the valveinember 47.

The valve part 43 moves against the valve seat 40,cutting oit the escape of fluid pressure, and theifluid pressure then. raises the piston 32 as -tlie stem i .511s raised.A

Should the stem 51 be raised faster than the restricted flow of fluid pressure to the cylinder:` can raise the piston 32, the valve A47 leaves the valve Aseat 46, rpermitting the .fluid pressure to escape through the valve 46 and through the openings 43 and 39. rlhe springs 61 and 62 then areeliectiveto move the piston 32 downwardly to shut the'throttle .mined overspeed, which is usually set at about 10% above the normal operating speed.

-,The auto-stop governor releases the uid lpressure inthe conduit 15, as described above,

thereby releasing the fluid 4pressure in the lower end of the cylinder 31'. Springs 61 and 62,'therefore, become effective te move the pistonfi 32 downwardly to close the The upper end of the cylinderV llO ' springs 6l andv 62 is permitted. It will be noted thatit isnot necessary to discharge all the 'fluid from the cylinder 31 through the relatively long-'conduit l5, only suflicient flow to openthe valve 46 being necessary through said conduit. rlhe throttle valve cannot again be opened until the stemv 5l is lowered and slowly raised.

Assume again that the throttle valve is open and that'it is desired to close the throttle 26 valve under manual controheither partly or The stem 5l is lowered, which completely.

od its seat 40.

moves the valve member 43 An opening is `therefore provided through which liuid pressure is released, permitting the springs to lower the piston until the valve opening is closed or, more exactly, diminished to an extent sucient to'permit only the escape ol the restricted 'lowof `tluid into the cylinder. It will thus be seen that by lowering the stem 5l, the piston 32 is caused to Vfollow the movement of the stem.

lllhen the turbi-ne is shut down, it is de- 'sirable'that the throttle valve be held against its seat by a positive 1force. The stem 51 is, therefore, lowered beyond the position shown in the drawing, until the stops 45 on the valve member 41 engage the bushing 35. It will thus be seen that there is then a positive force 'from the stem 5l transmitted through the valve member 47, the'valvemember 4l, the bushing 35 andthe rod 34 to the throttle valve.

In order that the operator may know deiinitely, when raising the stem 5l, that the piston 32 is following the stem, I provide an indicator 73. ,Thisindicator consists ol a thin rod disposed in an opening 74 extending longitudinallythrough the stern 5l, and having-` an indicating button 7.5 in the enlarged upper end of the opening 7 4.

When the stem 5l abuts the valve member 47, thelower end of the indicator 73 also rests on the valve member47 and raises the button 7 5, which projects out from'the stem 5l to provide a visual indication that the stem is abutting the valve member, and that the piton 32 is following the stem, if the latter is being raised. When, however, the stem 5l and thevalve lmember 47 separate, the indieater falls bygravity and the indicating button v7 5 disappears within the stem 5l. rlhe operator then knows that there is no contact between4 the stem 51 andthe valve member 47 and that the throttle valve must, therefore, be on its'seat.`

From the above description itwill be seen that I have provided a'throttle valve wherein there is provided power means for closing vthe-throttle valve under full manual control is brought to closed position is retained.V f

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obviousto those skilled inthe art, that it is notk so limited, but is susceptible of tions' without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such ylimitations shall be kplacedthereupon as are imposed byfthe prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

l. The combination with a throttle valve, of amotor device for operating the .same in both opening and closing directions, manually operated means for controlling the mo-` tor device to provide open, closed or intermediate position of the throttle valve, and trip means for controllingsaid motor device to effect complete closing of the throttle valve.

2. The combination with a throttler valve, of `a motor device for operating the same yin Yboth opening and closing directions, manu'- ally operated mea-ns forxcontrolling the -motor device to yprovide open, closed 4or intermediate position of the throttle valve, and trip means superse'ding the manually operated means for controlling said motor device to eiect complete closing of the throttle valve.

3. The combination with a throttle. valve, of a manually-actuated control means,v a rnctor device for operating the throttle valve in both opening and closing directions under control of said means for the full travel of the motor device, trip means superseding said manually-actuated control means for controlling said-motor device to eiect complete closing of the throttle valve, and means eective upon operation of the trip means for rendering the motor device ineliective to open the valve until said control means is brought to position corresponding to closed position v of the throttle valve.

4; The combination with a throttle valve, of operating mechanism therefor comprising a manually operated control member adjustable to various positions corresponding to closed, open and intermediate positions of the throttle valve, power means for moving the throttle valve in both opening andV closing directions to the position corresponding to the position of the control member, and

other means for effecting power. actuated closing of said throttle valve independently of the position ol said control member.

5. The combination delined in claim 4 and means effective upon operation of said lastmentioned means for retaining the throttle various changes an-d modica-v valve `*closed until'jsaid contr-ol am'ember: is broughtzto. the position corresponding to f c'losedposition of thethrottle valve.

cylinder,

fof the position of' said :control f =6., Ina throttleV valve operating mechau` nism,.the combination of acylinder, a `piston operating therein and4 connected to the throttle valve, a control membermovable-to various 'positions corresponding to various positions of the piston intermediatehthe Vlimits of its travel, means forrapply'ingV force to Y said piston to follovvmovements ofsaid confV l trol member 1n both openingandclosing di-V throttle valve to closed position,` means `for supplying' fluid pressure to vthe `cylinder to J-,openthe valve, trip means for releasing said pressure, and `other means'for releasing said pressure: to movethe' throttlevalve in closing direction to any desired extent.

8. `The combination .with al throttle valve,

l 4of means forV operating the same comprising Va, cylinder,vr a piston operating *therein vand Y y "connectedto the throttlervalve, `means `bias` ingfthe throttle.. valve` to Y means forsupplymg fluidpressure to the'cylleasing `said pressure, and

fluid pressure, ,saidV other vmitting release ofsaid closed (position,V

inder vtov open thefvalve, trip means for re'- `otherzmeans for closing the YthrottleV valve i means controlling the extent of the Yclosing movement of the throttlevalve. Y l 1 9. The combination Witha throttle valve, of means for operating the same comprising a fluid pressure roperated memberconnected thereto,means biasing said throttle'valve to closedposition, means for applying fluid pressure to said'member in opposition to said Abias for operatingthesame, means forcontrolling said'fluid pressure to open and 'close the valve, tripping means adaptedto release said fluid pressure,and further means per.-V fluid pressure When' said tripping meansoperates.

10. In a throttle valve operatingmechanism, the combination of a cylinder, a piston operating therein and connected tothe throttle valve, a control member, means for. applying force to said Vpiston to follow movementsof said 'control member in both'open- ,ing and closingfdirections, means for `effecting complete closing of the throttle valve inf dependently ofthe position of' said control member, and means preventing opening of '1 the throttle valve upon operation ofthe lastmentioned means untilA said control member is brought toposition forclosing the throttle valve.` Y 1 Y l, r

12h-In a throttlevalve operatingmechanism, thecombination of a cylinder, apiston by releasing said throttle yvalve operating therein Vand connected to the throttle valve, said piston being formed With an opening therethrough and a valve seat surrounding saidfopening, a valve member carried by said pistonand cooperating With said valve seat, means biasing said valve member to closed position, said valve member beingv formed with an opening therethrough and a piston having an V opening ther'ethrough,an

aniallygmovable valve member for closing said opening uponmovement in the direction of opening of saidthrottle valve, said valve member also having an opening therethrough, a second valve member for closing said lastmentioned opening upon movement in the direction of Yclosing theV throttle valve, said second valve member being adapted to, abut saidj first valve member upon Vclosing the opening therein and to move the same in opening direction uponfurther movement, and a controlmember `for actuating the sec-Y ond member in closing direction by abutment therewith.

13. The combination with a valve, of an operating mechanism therefor Ycomprising a cylinder, a piston operating therein and conknected to the valve, a spring biasing said piston in one direction, means for admitting a continuous restricted flow'of fluid under pressure to said cylinder to act on said piston in opposition tothe spring force thereon, a control member manually adjustable to various positions corresponding to different positions of the valve, means biased to closed position by said spring for providing a restricted outlet of fluid from said cylinder,means operico Y ated bv the control member when the latter is moved in the direction of spring force on Vthe piston to relieve theV fluid pressure and permit the spring to cause thelpiston to follovv the movement of the control member, and means operated when the control member is moved in the other direction to cut oft' outflow of fluid to cause the piston to follow the control member. l v e '14. In an operating mechanism V4for the A of a prime mover,ythe combination of a cylinder, a lpistonoperating therein and connected to vthethrottle valve, a control member movable to various positions corresponding to different positions of the piston, means for applying force to said pisL ton to move the same to an extent .determined by the position of said controlfmember in piston 'for means responsive to an abnormal operating condition of said prime mover for eifecting complete closing of the throttle valve independently of the position of said control member. Y

15. In an operating mechanism for a valve, the combination of a cylinder, a piston operating therein and connected to the valve, a spring biasing the piston to close the valve, said piston having an opening therethrough and a valve adapted to close said opening, a stem extending through the cylinder and adapted to abut against the valve for closing the opening, and means for indicating When said stem abuts the valve member.

16. ln an operating mechanism for a valve, the combination of a cylinder, a piston operating therein and connected to the valve, a spring biasing vthe piston to close the valve,

said piston having an opening therethrough and a valve adapted to close said opening, a stem extending through the cylinder and adapted to abut against the valve for closing the opening, said stem having an opening therethrough extending to the valve, and an indicating member extending through said opening in the stem from `the valve to the outer end of the stem and adapted to move outwardly when the stem abuts the valve to provide a visual indication of said abutment.

17. The combination With a throttle valve, of an operating mechanism therefor comprising a motor device for moving the throttle valve in either opening or closing direction, means for controlling said motor device to provide any desired extent of opening of the throttle valve, means adapted to supersede said control means and eifect complete closing of t-he throttle valve, and means wherebyV be opened after the throttle valve cannot operation of the second-mentioned means until the first-mentioned meansis operated.

18. In an operating mechanism for a valve,

' the combination of a piston connected to the valve for operating the same, vvhioh the piston operates, means biasing a'cylinder in the valve in closing direction, means for admitting fluid pressure tothe cylinder to act on r the iston in valve o enin@ direction a control member movable to various positions corresponding to open, closed and intermediate positions of the valve, valve means control ling the application of fluid pressure to the causing movement thereof in either opening or closing direction to the position thereof corresponding to the position of the control member, and means effective when the valve Vis closed to prevent opening thereof until the control member is moved to the position thereof corresponding to closed position of the valve.

19. In' an operating mechanism for a valve, the combination of a piston connected to the valve for operating thev same, a cylinder in member in opening which the piston operates, means biasing the valve in closing direction, means for admit-, ting fluid pressure to the cylinder to act on the piston in valve opening'direction, a control member movable to various positions cor-l responding to open, closed and intermediate positions of the valve, valve means controle Y ling the application of, fluid pressure to the' piston for causing movement thereof in either opening or closing direction to the position'thereof corresponding to the position of the control member, and means effective when the valve is closed to prevent the application of fluid pressure to the piston for opening the valve until the control member is moved to the position thereof corresponding to closed position of the valve.

20. The combination with a valve, of means for operating the same comprising av motor device adapted to move the valve both in openingand in closing directions, a control member movable to various positions corresponding to open, closed and intermediate positions of the valve, means operative upon movement of the control member to move the valve in either direction to its corresponding position, and means operativeupon a predetermined departure of the valve towards closed position fromits corresponding position for eiecting complete closing` of the valve and for preventing reopening vthereof until the control member is brought to the position corresponding to closed position of the valve.

21. The combination With a valve, of means for operating the same comprising a cylinder, a piston therein and connected to the valve, means biasing the valve to closed position, a control member` movable to various positions corresponding to open, closed and intermediate positions of the valve, means responsive to movement of the control direction for applying iuid pressure to the piston for moving the valve in opening direction and responsive to movement of the control member in closingY direction 'for releasing the Huid pressure from said piston for moving the valve iny closing direction, and means operative upon a predetermined departure of the rvalve tovvardclosed position from its corresponding position for releasing the fluid pressure from said piston until the control member is brought to the position corresponding to closed posit-ion of the valve.Y

ln testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my namey this 18th day'of April, 1928.

ANTHONY F. SCHWENDNER.

1GOV 

